New to the group

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone,

I've spent the last couple of weeks reading through the many emails

that this group has to offer and I am definitely pleased to have

found it! I'd like to share some of my personal struggles over the

years with this disease. I am 23 years old and a university student

from the Toronto area. I am very frusterated because I was

unfortunate to have developed it at such a young age which makes it

even harder. Being around people with near perfect complexions does

not make it any easier for me (especially since I used to have skin

like them). I first noticed the redness when i was 19 during my

first year of university, at exams. It progressed from one side of

the face slowly to the other. I was referred to a dermatologist who

gave me Metrogel but did not explain what it was I had. He said " put

this on your face " . I did for awhile but it did not really do

anything. I started putting moisturizers on my face and it helped

for some time (my skin became very dry and still is). Over the

years, I have seen 4 dermatolists who have not helped at all. One

simply recommended DOVE soap and nothing else on my skin. He said

that because I am struggling with the redness only (no papules or

pastules) that there really isn't anything to do. I have tried

Minocin, Tetrocyclin but again these don't help much with the

redness. I've tried many other mixtures (noritate, higher

concentrations etc. etc.) and was even prescribed cortisone cream to

treat it. Which is definitely a no no , and luckily a did not use

for more than a few days. I have tried almost everything Over the

counter with no luck. Some of you are at the point where you are

able to control your symptoms through diet and topicals which is

great. But for some of us, we are passed that stage. I have no

episodes. Just constant red, itching and burning on my nose and

entire cheeks (chin and forhead are OK). It has recently spread to

my neck , and even now my ears have been bothering me tremendously.

Mostly at night, my ears will turn bright red and hurt so much (they

are deep red) and it will stay for some time. During the day I will

sometimes get the ear problems too. My chest area has also starting

turning red and is contantly hot from blood flow. I have tried some

of the recommendations to control flushing on here (Ester C and Grape

Seed, baby asperin etc) and have seen no real results after a week.

I have pretty much given up on the hope that I will ever get this

thing under control. I'd be lying if i said it hasn't affected me

dramatically. It is extremely difficult because it seems like even

the dermatologists don't have a clue on what to do (at least where i

am). I've been fortunate enough to be able to get through school

with this. It has not been easy studying for exams when your face is

totally red and burning. Not easy to do presentations either when

your face is red and burning. I've managed and have done well

academically, but now I'm coming to the end of school . I've had

some dream job offers but have declined them because I don't think

I'm ready at this stage of my disease. My confidence is at an all

time low. Anyway, I've read a lot of inspiring things on here

which is good! But, it is difficult being young with this. I have

gone from Acne days of adolescence to nice clear skin to red

blotchy skin. When i shower I cannot put my face under the water,

that is how sensitive it is. If I do, it will go really blotchy for

4-5 hours. I am reluctant to think it will ever get under control

because once permanent markings develop (from the red), I think it is

hard to reverse. And of course because i am a young guy, I do not

like talking much about this stuff with my friends or family. The

ones who I have told, they just do not understand because they have

never been through it. It's tough, but life has to go on. I feel

like there is some much more i could do if only i didn't have this.

Sorry for making this so long, but it's wierd seeing yourself

transform in only a few years.

best of luck with your treatments,

DAVE